A framework for mapping between “living” muscle model parameters and systems biology data for muscle tissue

Striated muscle represents a unique type of actuator in that it depends on living tissue. Models of muscle have historically focused on the role of actuator, using properties that do not adapt over time. This paper extends the foundation of Hill-based muscle models by considering muscle as a tissue composed of well-mixed composite materials (at the level of fascicle), and identifies three specific classes of protein families that occupy functional space functional space: excitation→activation; mechanical attachment/transmission, and myo-energy supply. Typically parameters describing nonlinear muscle properties have been estimated either directly or based on anthropometry and fiber composition. Here we develop a framework for augmenting such estimation through mapping to the up/down-regulation of specific proteins and their transcripts. While useful for establishing a framework for "living" muscle models that can evolve, it also provides an attractive approach for helping interpret high-throughput systems biology data, especially muscle tissue biopsies from studies that target interventional tasks and/or myo-disorders.